Lighting system with improved illumination distribution

ABSTRACT

Optically patterned waveguides and systems employing optically pattered waveguides are provided. The optically patterned waveguide is configured for use in a lighting system and arranged perpendicular to an overhead structure, such as a ceiling. The optically patterned waveguide includes major surfaces that are patterned with a plurality of elongated facets formed into the major surfaces and extending in a direction parallel to the length of the waveguide. The optically patterned waveguide provides illumination patterns having increased uniformity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to lightingsystems, and more specifically, to lighting systems having improvedillumination distribution.

Area lighting is typically found in homes, office spaces, warehouses,storage areas, museums, trade centers and commercial spaces, forexample. One continually developing technology employed for arealighting applications is lighting systems utilizing light emittingdiodes (LEDs). LED-based lighting systems are increasingly used toreplace conventional fluorescent and incandescent lighting systems.LED-based lighting systems may provide a longer operating life, highluminous efficacy, and improved manufacturability at lower costs.However, conventional LED-based lighting systems may not be optimal forall area lighting applications.

For instance, conventional LED-based area lighting systems which areemployed to illuminate a number of vertically positioned regions may notbe capable of adequately and optimally illuminating the variousvertically positioned regions in a consistent manner. For instance, foroverhead lighting systems typically mounted on a ceiling and configuredto illuminate a number of vertically oriented shelves on either side ofan aisle of a retail store, it is desirable that each of the verticallyoriented shelves is consistently illuminated in a uniform manner fromone shelf to the next. Disadvantageously, conventional lighting systemsmay direct light beams to areas of little interest such as a ceiling orupper sections of building walls that are above the shelves containingobjects of interest, such as products for display or sale. Further, manysystems suffer from significant scattering and absorbent losses withinthe lighting fixture. Further, conventional lighting systems suffer aluminance drop for the vertically oriented surfaces from the highestvertically oriented surface to the lowest vertically oriented surface.The misdirection of the light produced by the lighting system and theloss of light within the structures result in inefficiency of thelighting system. Further, loss of luminance and non-uniformity inillumination of all areas of interest is generally undesirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a waveguide includes a top surface configured toreceive light from a light source. The waveguide also includes at leastone major surface configured to distribute light received from the lightsource to a surrounding area. The at least one major surface includes anoptical pattern having elongated facets, wherein each of the elongatedfacets extends into the major surface and through the entire length ofthe waveguide.

In another embodiment, a waveguide includes a first major surface havinga length and height. The waveguide also includes a second major surfacearranged opposite the first major surface and having the same length andheight. Each of the first major surface and the second major surfaceinclude a plurality of elongated facets formed therein, wherein each ofthe elongated facets is formed parallel to one another in a direction ofthe length.

In another embodiment, a system includes a light source. The system alsoincludes an optically patterned waveguide arranged to receive light fromthe light source at a first surface and distribute the light through asecond surface, perpendicular to the first surface, wherein the secondsurface comprises a height and a length. The second surface includes aplurality of repeating sections formed therethrough and arrangedvertically throughout the height, wherein the repeating sectionscomprise a plurality of segments extending throughout the length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perceptive view of a lighting system employed in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of the lighting system, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lighting systemillustrated in FIG. 2 and taken along the cut lines 3-3, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perceptive view of a waveguide that may be employed in alighting system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the waveguide of FIG. 4 that may be employed ina lighting system in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates various vertically oriented surface patterns that maybe employed in a waveguide of a lighting system in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a horizontally oriented surface pattern that may beemployed in a waveguide of a lighting system in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide lighting systems employingLight Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and an optically patterned waveguide thatis oriented vertically from an overhead region and aligned to illuminatean area of interest by directing light to targeted areas. Embodiments ofthe invention include a series of LEDs optically coupled to avertically-oriented optical waveguide having major surfaces that havebeen designed to optimize the illumination of the lighting system into acontrolled pattern to maximize the utility of the illumination byshaping the output intensity distribution such that it covers desirableareas with higher brightness illumination in a more uniform pattern thanprevious lighting systems. The vertically-oriented waveguide ispatterned to redirect light from the LED onto vertical and horizontallyoriented surfaces below the lighting system in an optimized manner. Thepatterned surfaces of the waveguide control both the vertical andhorizontal extent of the illumination area.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the surfaces ofthe waveguide are optically patterned such that the pattern penetratesinto the waveguide to mitigate total internal reflective properties ofthe waveguide over the face of the optic. The optic may extend over thehorizontal width of the waveguide that occupies only a small fraction ofits vertical height. The vertical shape of the vertical pattern mayinclude any number of designs that may be optimized to provide uniformbrightness and adequate lighting over areas of interest along verticallyarranged regions, such as displays or shelves vertically oriented alongwalls or aisles.

Technical advantages of lighting systems employing embodiments of thepresent design include improved efficiency in extracting light from theLEDs in the lighting system and optimization of the direction of thelight to the targeted areas. The improved efficiency of the lightingsystem reduces cost of electricity to achieve a desired level ofillumination for a particular application. Further, embodiments of thepresent invention provide improved uniformity of illumination ontargeted areas, such as vertically oriented surfaces, such as rows ofshelves. The improved uniformity allows objects on lower shelves to bewell lit to advantageously highlight objects on the lower shelves at ahigher brightness than conventional lighting systems which may fade atlower target regions.

Turning to the figures and referring initially to FIG. 1, the aisle 10of a commercial space, such as a store, is illustrated. Each side ofaisle 10 includes horizontal surfaces or shelves 12 arranged verticallywith respect to one another for displaying products 14. The shelves 12are vertically arranged such that a customer 16 is able to view theproducts 14 displayed on the shelves 12. The aisle 10 may have anassociated aisle width W_(A). The aisle width W_(A) may be in the rangeof 2.0 m-4.0 m, for example. Further, the shelves 12 may be arrangedalong a vertical surface such as a wall, such that the top shelf ispositions at height H_(TS) above the floor. The height H_(TS) may be inthe range of 1.5 m-3.0 m, for example. As will be appreciated the aislewidth W_(A) and the top shelf height H_(TS) may be greater or less thanthe ranges described.

In order to illuminate the products 14 on the shelves 12, a luminaire orlighting system 18 is provided. As illustrated, the lighting system 18is mounted to the ceiling 20 above the aisle 10 at a lighting systemheight H_(LS). The height H_(LS) may be in the range of 3.0 m-9.0 m, forexample, though a height H_(LS) greater than or less than the rangeprovided may also be employed. In accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, and as described in greater detail below, thelighting system 18 is an LED lighting system which includes one or more“blades” or waveguides 22 which are configured to illuminate theproducts 14 on the vertically arranged shelves 12 in a more uniformmanner than many conventional systems. As is illustrated, the lightingsystem 18 is vertically oriented above the shelves 12. The waveguide 22is configured to guide light such that light is directed to each side ofthe aisle 10 from the vertical surfaces of the waveguide 22. Further,and as discussed in detail below, the vertical surfaces of the waveguide22 have been optically patterned such that the surfaces of the waveguide22 provide a more uniform light distribution to each of the shelves 12below. The patterned surfaces of the waveguide 22 are optimized suchthat lower shelves 12 are illuminated with generally the same lightintensity and distribution as the upper shelves 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the lighting system 18configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The lighting system 18 generally includes opticallypatterned waveguides 22 configured to distribute light in a controlledpattern to maximize the uniformity of the illumination by shaping theoutput intensity distribution such that it uniformly covers all areas ofinterest, such as the shelves 12 (FIG. 1), with brighter illumination ina more uniform pattern than previously attainable. In the illustratedembodiment, the lighting system 18 includes three optically patternedwaveguides 22 which may be aligned in series. As will be appreciated,the number of waveguides 22 may vary from a single optically patternedwaveguide 22 to any desirable number of waveguides 22 to extend to adesired system length. While a single “waveguide 22” is described atvarious times in the application for simplicity, embodiments of thepresent invention are not limited as such, and the lighting system 18may include one or more waveguides 22.

The optically patterned waveguide 22 is coupled to a light source 24configured to produce light for distribution through the opticallypatterned waveguide 22. In one embodiment, the light source 24 mayinclude a number of LEDs arranged in a row along the entire length ofthe lighting system 18 such that each LED of the light source 24produces light and directs it downward into the optically patternedwaveguide 22. As will be appreciated, specific types of LEDs such asorganic LEDs or alternative illumination devices may also be employed inthe light source 24 to illuminate the optically patterned waveguide 22in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lightsource 24 may include a number of other elements, such as clips,heatsinks, and reflectors, for example, as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

The lighting system 18 may further include an electrical box 26. Theelectrical box 26 may provide power to the light source 24. As will beappreciated, the electrical box may include driver components,electrical and mechanical adapters, mechanical retainer structures,terminal blocks, and other electrical and mechanical componentsconfigured to provide power to the light source 24. The electrical box26 also includes components to mechanically secure the components withinthe electrical box 26 and to mechanically secure the light source 24 toa mounting mechanism 28. The mounting mechanism 28 may be any mechanicalstructure configured to couple the light source 24, electrical box 26and waveguide 22 to an overhead region such as a ceiling or armextending from a wall, such as a bracket, post, brace, shoulder, step orrecess, for example. As will be appreciated, alternative configurationsof the electrical box 26 in the mounting mechanism 28 may be employed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. That is, anysuitable components may be employed in the electrical box 26 or themounting mechanism 28 such that the lighting system 18 may be arrangedand secured to an overhead region such that adequate power is providedto the light source 24 for distribution in the optically patternedwaveguide. Further, in some embodiments, the components of the lightsource 24, electrical box 26 and/or mounting mechanism 28 may becombined with one another such that they are contained within a singlehousing.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the lighting system18 taken along the cut-lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. As previouslydescribed, the lighting system 18 includes any suitable mountingmechanism 28 that may be used to couple the lighting system 18 to anoverhead region such as a ceiling or arm extending to an overheadregion. The mounting mechanism 28 may be coupled directly to theelectrical box 26 configured to provide mechanical support andelectrical signals to the light source 24. The light source 24 mayinclude a plurality of LEDs 30 that may be arranged along the length ofthe lighting system 18. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the LED 30 is sizedand configured to provide light to the optically patterned waveguide 22which may be optically coupled to the light source 24. Specifically, thelight source 24 provides illumination in a downward direction into theoptically patterned waveguide 22. As described further below, each ofthe two sides or major surfaces 32 of the optically patterned waveguide22 is optimally designed to reduce light scattering and increase overalluniformity of light distribution by directing increased light to targetregions, such as the shelves 12 (FIG. 1). As used herein, each of thetwo “major surfaces” 32 refers to the sides of the waveguide 22 throughwhich the vast majority of the light from the light source 24 isdistributed into the surrounding environment (e.g., a room). The majorsurfaces 32 are the largest surfaces of the waveguide 22. Asillustrated, each of the major surfaces 32 of the waveguide 22 ispatterned, as described further below. As will be appreciated, the scaleof the patterns illustrated on the major surfaces 32 has beenexaggerated for purposes of discussion and illustration.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the optically patternedwaveguide 22 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention asillustrated. As previously described, the optically patterned waveguide22 includes two major surfaces 32 that provide light to the surroundingenvironment. The optically patterned waveguide 22 includes a lengthL_(WG), a height H_(WG), and a width W_(WG). As used herein, the lengthL_(WG) refers to the horizontal dimension of the optically patternedwaveguide 22 as it runs the length parallel to a surface above, such asa ceiling. It is the longest dimension of the optically patternedwaveguide 22. The height H_(WG) of the optically patterned waveguide 22refers to the vertical dimension of the optically patterned waveguide 22as it extends in the direction perpendicular to the surface above, suchas the ceiling. The width W_(WG) refers to the thickness of theoptically patterned waveguide 22 and is the shortest dimension.

The length L_(WG) of the waveguide 22, may be any desirable length,depending on the strength of the light source 24, the manufacturingcapabilities for production of the waveguide 22 and the application inwhich the lighting system 18 is employed. In one embodiment, the lengthL_(WG) of the optically patterned waveguide 22 may be in the range of0.5-0.75 meters, such as 0.61 meters. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thelighting system 18 may employ three such waveguides 22, alignedend-to-end to produce a total length of 1.5-2.25 meters, for example.

The height H_(WG) of the optically patterned waveguide 22 may also varydepending on the design of the lighting system 18. In one embodiment,the height H_(WG) of the optically patterned waveguide 22 may be in therange of 0.10-0.20 meters, such as 0.128 meters. Comparatively, thewidth W_(WG) of the optically patterned waveguide 22 is relativelysmall. For instance in one embodiment the width W_(WG), of the opticallypatterned waveguide 22 maybe in the range of 0.003-0.005 meters, such as0.004 meters.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an end view of the optically patterned waveguide22 is illustrated. As previously described, the waveguide 22 has aheight H_(WG) which depicts the vertical dimension of the opticallypatterned waveguide 22, perpendicular to the ceiling and floor. Aspreviously described, each major surface 32 of the optically patternedwaveguide 22 is fabricated such that each major surface 32 is configuredto direct light in a downward manner such that a desired region isilluminated in a uniform manner throughout its entire verticality (e.g.shelves 12 arranged along a wall of an aisle 10, as depicted in FIG. 1).The optically patterned waveguide 22 may be a plastic material such asan acrylate or polycarbonate, for example. Alternatively, the opticallypatterned waveguide 22 may comprise a glass material such as a silica orfluoride, for example.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, the optically patternedwaveguide 22 has been optimized by patterning the major surfaces 32 ofthe optically patterned waveguide 22 with a pattern of elongated grovesthat penetrate into the waveguide 22 such that the grooved patternspoils the total internal reflection that would occur with a smooth orun-patterned surface. The grooves extend through the entire lengthL_(WG) of the waveguide 22. By forming multiple elongated facets throughthe length L_(WG) and down the height H_(WG) of the waveguide H_(WG),the brightness of uniformity distributed from the sides 32 of theoptically patterned waveguide 22 can be optimized. As will illustratedand described in greater detail with regard to FIG. 6, the pattern canbe optimized by adjusting the angle, width and radius of curvature ofnumerous elongated facets formed in the major surfaces 32.

As will be appreciated, the facets on the major surfaces 32 can reflectthe light traveling within the waveguide 22 such that it exceeds thetotal internal reflection (TIR) condition on the opposite major surface32 of the waveguide 22 after bouncing off the facet. That is to say thatthe light rays are deflected from their trajectory in a fashion thatadds up with each bounce of a facet until it is incident at a highenough angle to transmit through the major surface 32 of the waveguide22 on the opposite side of the facet that it was reflected from.

Modeling data and experimental data corresponding to physical prototypesproduced in accordance with embodiments of the present invention werefound to provide improved uniformity and brightness of lightdistribution toward the targeted areas compared with lighting systemsusing waveguides having either smooth surfaces, printed patternedsurfaces, surfaces including random discrete geometric patterns,surfaces which are randomly roughened or surfaces that have not beenenhanced in the manner described herein. In accordance of oneembodiment, the optical patterns on the surface of the waveguide 22 maybe formed in a mold used to fabricate the optically patterned waveguide22 using any suitable molding techniques. Alternatively, the elongatedgrooved patterns may be formed through the major surfaces 32 of theoptically patterned waveguide 22 using a machining or laser processcapable of accurately forming the optical patterns in the waveguide 22,as described further below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a detailed view of a portion of the majorsurface 32 of the optically patterned waveguide 22 taken along the cutlines 6-6 of FIG. 5 is illustrated. It should be noted that theexemplary surface pattern 34 illustrated in FIG. 6 is not drawn toscale. That is, angles, lengths, widths and radii of curvature may beexaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the depicted features.As will be described in more detail below, the pattern 34 formed intothe surface of the optically patterned waveguide 22 includes four typesof segments: 1) ramp segments, generally depicted by reference numeral36; 2) cylindrical segments, generally depicted by reference numeral 38;3) planar horizontal segments, generally depicted by reference numeral40; and 4) planar vertical segments, generally depicted by referencenumeral 42. The exemplary pattern 34 is uniquely provided to optimizeuniformity and intensity of light distribution through the opticallypatterned waveguide 22. However, as will be appreciated a number ofother patterns may also be employed, as well. These alternative patternsmay include more or fewer types of segments, more or fewer repeatedpatterns, many of which may include different angles, lengths and radiiof curvature optimized to illuminate regions located at different anglesand heights with respect to the waveguide 22. Optimization may be atleast partially dependent on the height of the lighting system 18, theheight of the areas to be illuminated (e.g., shelves 12) and the widthof the distribution region (e.g., aisle 10). The pattern 34 has beenoptimized for a lighting system height H_(LS) of approximately 3.5meters, a top shelf height H_(TS) of approximately 2.2 meters and anaisle width W_(A) of approximately 2.4 meters, for example.

The illustrated pattern 34 includes repeating sections 44 throughout theheight H_(WG) of the waveguide 22 which includes a number of segments ofvarious segment types. As used herein, the “repeating section” 44 refersto a length of patterns through a portion of the height H_(WG) of thewaveguide 22, before the entire pattern begins to repeat. In otherwords, each repeating section 44 includes an identical length ofpatterned facets. As previously discussed, each of the facets is anelongated, grooved segment that extends through the entire length of thewaveguide L_(WG).

The first segment type in the pattern 34 is a ramp segment 36, such asthe ramp segments 36A and 36B. Each of the ramp segments 36A and 36Bextends into the waveguide 22 at an angle θ_(A) and θ_(B), respectively,as measured from the flat, unpatterned segments (i.e., planar verticalsegments 42) of the major surface 32 of the waveguide 22. In accordancewith one embodiment, θ_(A) equals 2.45° and θ_(B) equals 4.1°. Inaddition, the vertical distances D1 and D5 are each 0.70 mm inaccordance with the illustrated embodiment of the pattern 34.

Each repeating section 44 of the pattern 34 also includes a cylindricalsegment 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of curvature ofthe cylindrical segment 38 is 1.75 mm. Further, the distance D3 is 0.2mm in accordance with the illustrated pattern 34.

Each repeating section 44 of the pattern 34 also includes planarhorizontal segments 40, such as the planar horizontal segment 40A, 40Band 40C. As described herein, the planar horizontal segments 40 arearranged parallel to the horizontal surfaces of the ceiling and floorwhen the lighting system 18 is installed for overhead illumination, asdescribed with regard to FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, theplanar horizontal segment 40A has a horizontal length of 0.03 mm. Thatis, the planar horizontal segment 40A extends 0.03 mm into the majorsurface 32 of the waveguide 22. Similarly, in the pattern 34, the planarhorizontal segment 40B has a length of 0.03 mm. That is, the planarhorizontal segment 40B extends 0.03 mm into the major surface 32 of thewaveguide 22. The planar horizontal segment 40C has a horizontal lengthof 0.05 mm. That is, the planar horizontal segment 40C extends 0.05 mminto the major surface 32 of the waveguide 22.

Finally, the exemplary repeating section 44 includes three planarvertical segments 42A, 42B and 42C. The planar vertical segments 42 aredefined as being perpendicular to or vertical with respect to theceiling and floor. The planar vertical segments 42 represent planarportions of the major surface 32 of the waveguide 22 that remain planarand un-patterned. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the segments42A, 42B and 42C are 0.20 mm. Thus, the distances D2, D4 and D6 are each0.20 mm.

As will be appreciated, the repeating sections 44 repeat throughout theentire height of the waveguide H_(WG). Further, while only a singlemajor surface 32 is illustrated, in exemplary embodiments, the oppositemajor surface 32 will be similarly patterned with repeating sections 44repeating throughout the height of the waveguide H_(WG). While thepattern 34 has been demonstrated to provide optimal illumination anduniformity, other patterns are also contemplated within the spirit andscope of the disclosed embodiments.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is described. As described and illustrated above, theelongated grooved pattern 34 extends through the length of the waveguideL_(WG) and in repeating sections 44 through the height of the waveguideH_(WG). In addition to the patterning described above, anotherembodiment of the invention includes a modulation in the depth of thegroove along the horizontal direction over the length of the waveguideLwg. FIG. 7 illustrates a partial top view of the secondary pattern 46.The secondary pattern includes repeating curved sections 48 that eachextends a distance D7 along the length of the waveguide L_(WG). Inaccordance with one embodiment, the distance D7 is in the range ofapproximately 1 mm to 50 mm. Further, the radius of curvature of eachcurved section has a radius of curvature in the range of approximately 5mm to 50 mm. As will be appreciated, each of the curved sections 48 ofthe secondary pattern 46 extends through the entire height of thewaveguide H_(WG).

In another alternative embodiment, the depth of the elongated groovedpattern 34 or the depth of individual facets (e.g., the length of theplanar horizontal segments 40, may be modulated in the horizontaldirection over the length of the waveguide L_(WG). As will beappreciated, the modulation of the depth in the horizontal direction mayexpand the illumination pattern to exceed the width of the waveguideW_(WG). In this embodiment, the vertical modulation acts as a negativelens segment which diverges the light from the waveguide 22 to cover awider area.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A waveguide comprising: a top surfaceconfigured to receive light from a light source; and at least one majorsurface configured to distribute light received from the light source toa surrounding area, wherein the at least one major surface comprises anoptical pattern having elongated facets, wherein each of the elongatedfacets extends into the major surface and through the entire length ofthe waveguide, wherein the optical pattern comprises a plurality ofrepeating sections arranged vertically throughout the height of thewaveguide, wherein each of the plurality of repeating sections comprisesa plurality of segments, and wherein at least one of the plurality ofrepeating sections comprises each of a ramp segment, a cylindricalsegment, a planar horizontal segment, and a planar vertical segment. 2.The waveguide of claim 1, wherein each of the repeating sections isidentical to one another.
 3. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein thesegment types comprise ramp segments, cylindrical segments, planarhorizontal segments, planar vertical segments or combinations thereof.4. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segmentscomprises a vertical distance in a range of 0.10-1.0 mm.
 5. Thewaveguide of claim 1, wherein the at least one major surface comprises afirst major surface on a first side of the waveguide and a second majorsurface on a second side of the waveguide opposite the first surface,wherein the second major surface is a mirror image of the first majorsurface.
 6. The waveguide of claim 1, further comprising a secondarypattern formed through the length of the waveguide and extending throughthe entire height of the waveguide.
 7. The waveguide of claim 1, whereineach of the elongated facets extends into the major surface at a depthof less than 0.10 mm.
 8. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the length ofthe waveguide is in a range of 0.5-0.75 meters.
 9. The waveguide ofclaim 1, wherein the height of the waveguide is in a range of 0.10-0.20meters.
 10. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the width of the waveguideis in a range of 0.003-0.005 meters.
 11. A waveguide comprising: a firstmajor surface having a length and height; and a second major surfacearranged opposite the first major surface and having the same length andheight, wherein each of the first major surface and the second majorsurface comprises a plurality of elongated facets formed therein,wherein each of the elongated facets is formed parallel to one anotherin a direction of the length, wherein the plurality of elongated facetsform an optical pattern, wherein the optical pattern comprises aplurality of repeating sections arranged vertically throughout theheight of the waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of repeatingsections comprises a plurality of segments, and wherein at least one ofthe plurality of repeating sections comprises each of a ramp segment, acylindrical segment, a planar horizontal segment, and a planar verticalsegment.
 12. The waveguide of claim 11, wherein the length is in a rangeof 0.5-0.75 meters.
 13. The waveguide of claim 11, wherein the height isin a range of 0.10-0.20 meters.
 14. The waveguide of claim 11, whereinthe plurality of elongated facets comprises more than one type of facethaving different shapes.
 15. The waveguide of claim 11, wherein theoptical pattern of each of the first and second major surfaces isconfigured to increase uniformity of an illumination pattern producedthrough each respective surface.
 16. The waveguide of claim 11, furthercomprising a secondary pattern formed through the length and extendingthrough the entire height of the waveguide, wherein the secondarypattern comprises curved segments.
 17. The waveguide of claim 16,wherein each of the curved segments extends a distance along the lengthof approximately 600 mm.
 18. A system comprising: a light source; and anoptically patterned waveguide arranged to receive light from the lightsource at a first surface and distribute the light through a secondsurface, perpendicular to the first surface, wherein the second surfacecomprises a height and a length and wherein the second surface comprisesa plurality of repeating sections formed therethrough and arrangedvertically throughout the height, wherein the repeating sectionscomprise a plurality of segments extending throughout the length,wherein the plurality of segments each have a segment type, and whereinat least one of the plurality of repeating sections comprises at leastone of each of a ramp segment, a cylindrical segment, a planarhorizontal segment, and a planar vertical segment.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the light source comprises one or more light emittingdiodes.
 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a mountingmechanism configured to couple the light source to an overheadstructure.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the optically patternedwaveguide is configured to distribute the light through a third surface,perpendicular to the first surface and arranged opposite the secondsurface.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the optically patternedwaveguide is arranged perpendicular to a ceiling after installation ofthe system for usage.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the secondsurface of the optically patterned waveguide is configured to increaseuniformity of an illumination pattern produced through the secondsurface.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the second surface isconfigured to produce an illumination pattern downward in a uniformmanner through a height of up to 4.0 meters.